Modern Vespa

In Italy, at least, GTS Super 300 sales are brisk. Clearly, there was pent-up demand for the new machine, though it looks like the 300 is cannibalizing sales from the 250.

I'm hoping that Piaggio are working out the bugs with the GTS Super 300 in the European market as they did with the GT200 so we won't have another USA market hiccough like the GTS250ie exhaust bearing. Anyway, credit where it's due, if early sales results are any indication, Piaggio appear to have another hit on their hands.

That makes it even more likely to make it here I think. If they can sell that many in Italy they must think that they can sell it here. I do wonder though if the high sales of the GTS 300 are just cannibalizing the GTS 250 sales or if the combined sales of both are significantly greater than the previous sales of the GTS 250?

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........As i stated in June ......Im still leaning on the "Personal" belief that the GTS250 might be mouthballed , and it will be the GT200 and 300 Super that will remain in production....IMOP

godoggo ~

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godogoo posted: Anybody else have any thoughts on this? I'd like to buy a GTS 250ie in the spring, and am hoping that they will still be available. Also, what if any impact do you think the availability of the 300's will have on the price of the 250's at the dealerships in the future?


WindyCity

I can't imagine the 250 going away honestly and you shouldn't have a problem next spring. As far as pricing goes, can't guess there and seems like everything is going up, up, up so wouldn't expect it to be cheaper than today when new. The 250 is a great scooter and worth waiting for.

It seems to me that with the popularity and high sales numbers of the Honda SH300 in Europe coupled with the fact that it's not sold here in the US, perhaps that means Vespa will have a lot of 300's to import to the states. Now if the $ doesn't go completly in the toilet maybe we can afford them when they get here.

Picked up mine the other day. Not had too much chance to ride it yet but first thoughts are:

- Its a different ride than the GTS 250, more bumpy, possibly to do with the shocks?
- Certainly quicker off the mark.
- Dash looks a lot better.
- Brakes look different to me.
- Pirrelli tyres, Sava's have gone....
- My GTS 250 short Vespa screen slotted straight in, basically they are the same scoot.
- Seat looks well cool.
- The black/silver wheels go well with my black Scoot.
- Vespa badge under the back seat looks cheap, silver plastic.
- The black floorboards scratch very easily unless you are very careful.
- Badge on front guard is different, looks good.

All in all very happy.

Jif

I'll admit I have had absolutely no desire for one of the 'monster Vespas' - but I just can't stop thinking about the 300. Thanks for the short review Jif - I will be anxiously waiting to hear what others have to say about this bike.

I'll be tradeing up just as soon as they get to dealers here

That's what I'm wondering, too. Unfortunately, they don't publish the longer list of monthly scooter sales and all I can tell for sure is that the GTS250ie fell out of the "Top 15" when GTS 300 Super sales came on line in June. The other thing I wonder is if folks had been holding off buying a GTS250ie in anticipation of the arrival of the GTS 300 Super. That could account for the aenemic GTS250ie sales we've seen (in Italy) in the second quarter. The question Piaggio wants answered is - Will these sales have legs? If the Super continues to do well in Italy, that'll be a good indicator of happy Italian customers. Hope so...

It surprises me that they are still making the GT200 (considering the GTS and now the 300 have come out. The more choices the better for the consumer but seems like there is a lot of "over lap" among these three models. The LX150 is a different scenario................that little air cooled "tank like" motor is in a class all it's own!

A little Piaggio bird I know says the word is....Next year.

Some chatter about a 250 motor with the 300 body.....



But I can almost guarantee the little bird will have one way before that.

Hahaha. That damn little bird gets all the cool toys.

The GT 200 isn't listed on the Italian Vespa site .... or the German site .... or the Swedish site .... or the UK site .... or the Spanish site ..... or the Netherlands site .... or the Canadian site.

But it is on the US site. I think there's a bunch in the warehouse and once those are gone that's it.

Dave

I've heard this same talk in Canada from a dealer (South East). Essentially that it's the 250 in the 300 body (engine), but likely a 'limited' initial run for North America. It's being toted as the GTS Super and not the exact '300 Super' (i.e. not the 278cc). I wouldn't be surprised if the real-deal Euro ones end up here in a year though, assuming the sales abroad remain steady.

250 Is an important class for learners in some countries.
I believe the 200 has a different engine slightly???Why have different production tooling etc.
So Chet is possibly right and its 250 with 300 for nutters like me when I win the lotto.
Heres a good thought 200 ET4 that would be wicked!! I know engine wont slot in.

The GT remains a brisk seller with a HUGE following, at least in our store. Actually if I did a sales check in the software I would guess that in 08 we have sold more GT's than GTS's. 3 guys at our store ride Vespa's daily and all by choice 3 GT's in the employee parking area. Very sleek, fast and Euro looking scoot.

Don't get me wrong, the GTS is a masterpiece however the GT rolls along at mach 1 just fine........................

Best,
SDG

It seems wierd to me that the top 3 scooters being sold in Italy are Japanese? That SH300 must be bullit-proof. Honda had always been know for rock solid reliability.

Re, popularity of Honda SH's: I've observed in France and Istanbul that people over there really like the large-wheeled scooters. I don't actually know what I'm talking about, but there seems to be a correlation.

I think the folks at Honda Italy would take exception to that. Look again at the chart.

The manufacturer is listed as "Honda Italia." You see that? As I understand it from dudel and other Internet sources, the SH300i was designed in Italy and is manufactured in Italy. I think the Italians take fierce pride in thinking of the SH300i as an Italian scooter.

P.S. Also, this explains why we won't see the SH300i in the USA. The dollar exchange rate vs the euro is terrible right now and getting worse. Sigh... BTGBTMVRMs, it's great to see the GTS Super 300 sellling briskly.

I added to those numbers last Friday. Can't wait until Monday, when my new 300 gets delivered.
Will keep any interested parties updated.
All the best.

I would suspect the GTS300 type taken over both GT200 and GTS250
There is not that much difference between a 300 and a 250 IMHO.
The older GT engine though is much different to the others!

Well said. Honda Italia designs and manufacturers a few popular European scooters, as well as very popular motorcycles (Honda Hornet, CB1000). MANY Japanese and German cars are designed in studios in California as well as Spain. GM autos like the Cavalier, Sunfire, Silverado, Suburba are assembled and exported from Mexico. The same goes for a several VW models assembled in Mexico. All the Honda Accords bought in the USA are "made in the USA".

I'd bet that most Italian consumers probably care as much about Vespa scooters and their Italian roots as many American consumers do when it comes to deciding between a Toyota Camry and a Ford Taurus. Nationalism more often loses to economic globalization, especially when you take price and value into account.